NY Times Covers Rise of Hybrid Vehicle Curriculum Programs
"As automakers increase their efforts to design vehicles that are more fuel-efficient and friendlier to the environment, engineering programs are likewise adapting their curriculums, preparing students to build vehicles increasingly powered by batteries and managed by computers," reports a recent New York Times article. Because of the growing complexity of hybrid vehicles, automakers are "eager to work closely with universities" by expanding internships and other partnerships to find students capable of creating vehicles that use alternative powertrains. The article profiles curriculums at Ohio State University, Purdue University (Indiana) and the University of Michigan, which has added new courses on energy systems and modified automotive engineering courses to include the electrification of the vehicle.
Palo Alto College Starts Bike Sharing Program
Designed to boost athleticism and environmentally friendly travel by encouraging students to ditch their cars, the recently launched program includes 12 refurbished bikes stationed at green bike racks across campus. Additional bikes are currently being repaired for the program.
La Trobe U Introduces Online Carpool Match System
(Australia): The new initiative coordinates carpooling among staff, students and the wider La Trobe community. The online system allows users to register their travel details and organize carpooling options based on multiple matches along multiple routes.
Utah State U to Launch Idle-Free Initiative
The initiative is designed to encourage drivers to turn of their engines while not moving in an effort to cut down on carbon emissions. The university's Sustainability Council will train students, faculty and staff to inform drivers of the initiative and provide information on the benefits of having an idle-free campus.
Duke U Adds Diesel-Electric Buses to Campus Fleet
The university has added five new hybrid diesel-electric buses to its free Bull City Connector fleet. The $3 million addition, funded by the Federal Transit Administration and North Carolina Department of Transportation, is expected to save the university about 27 percent on daily fuel usage compared to traditional diesel buses.
League of American Bicyclists Names New Bike Friendly Campuses
Nine new institutions have been recognized for their efforts to help bicycling thrive on campus including president-led bicycling classes and rides at the Georgia Institute of Technology and a new Cycle Learning Center at Boise State University (Idaho). To date, the program has grown to 35 campuses in 21 states.
West Michigan U Students Win National Green Vehicle Competition
A group of West Michigan University engineering technology students recently won the Human Assisted Green Energy Vehicle design competition. The competition calls on teams of up to five undergraduate and graduate students to design a vehicle that transfers the rider's manual power to the driving wheel through the use of a hydraulic fluid rather than a chain or other direct-drive mechanism. The four-member team's BroncoBike entry captured five first places in reliability and safety; workmanship; cost analysis; design report; and endurance race on its way to winning the overall event.
Clark U Debuts Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
The university joined fellow Worcester, Ma.-based institutions Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Quinsigamond Community College to debut new charging stations for the campus community and city. The Institute for Energy & Sustainability, a nonprofit housed at the university, received a Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources grant to install 10 charging stations in central Massachusetts.
Towson U Rolls Out Free Bike Rental Program
The pilot program is starting with 25 bicycles that students have the opportunity to rent free of charge for the entire semester. The program was developed to offer an alternative mode of transportation that is affordable and promotes a healthy lifestyle.
U California Los Angeles Traffic Drops to 1990 Levels
After focusing on lowering the number of drive-alone commuters, vehicle counts are at the lowest level since 1990, when the university first began measuring. Nearly 53 percent of employees currently drive to work alone and 25 percent of students drive alone. The university is also working to increase the number of employees that use alternative transportation methods as part of its Climate Action Plan.
Adrian College to Launch Bike Share Program
The plan, which calls for college-owned yellow bicycles to be available for shared use by students, faculty and staff, is a result of a contest in which the campus community was invited to submit creative ideas for improving the campus. The winning idea received $10,000 for implementation.
Kirkwood CC Offers Electric Vehicle Charging on Campus
Anyone who owns an electric vehicle can rent a parking stall in the community college's Hotel at Kirkwood Center to charge up. The charging station was partially funded by a $12,000 Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant from the City of Cedar Rapids. The college, which owns four hybrid vehicles for training students, is developing curriculum for diagnosing and repairing hybrid and electric vehicles.
U Colorado Boulder Appoints First Senior Transportation Fellow
The University of Colorado Boulder's Environmental Center has named planning and design professor Kevin J. Krizek as its first senior transportation fellow to help with a vision and plan toward an advanced sustainable transportation system. Krizek will work to synergize local and regional transportation issues, mentor students and assist faculty and staff in developing expertise and innovation related to transportation demand management.
Staffordshire U Adopts Car Share Program
(U.K.): A partnership with Hertz On Demand now offers students and faculty a free membership that allows them to reserve a vehicle via phone or on the website. The pay-as-you-go system provides members 24-hour access to vehicles located on campus.
U Queensland Sees 70% Increase in Bike, Pedestrian Commuters
(Australia): A recent report has revealed a significant rise in bus, bike and pedestrian commuters to the University of Queensland's St Lucia campus. Bus commuters have doubled since the last survey in 2002 and the number of people traveling by bike or foot increased 70 percent. The university has worked to improve its green transportation infrastructure by capping campus car parking spots and working with the Brisbane City Council to develop direct access via public transportation to campus.
Clemson U Debuts Car Share, Electric Car Charging Station
Clemson University (South Carolina) has unveiled its first electric vehicle charging station and a new car sharing program. WeCar, a membership-based car sharing program, allows students, faculty and staff to rent vehicles by the hour. The charging station will be used to charge a Chevrolet Volt that is part of the WeCar vehicle fleet.
Queens U Opens Bike Shop
The AMS Bike Shop at Queen's University’s (Ontario), organized by its Commission of the Environment and Sustainability, will provide replacement parts and repair services for students, and sell refurbished bicycles.
Western Michigan U Expands Electric Car Charging Offerings
A year after unveiling four electric car charging stations on its main campus, Western Michigan University has announced that 20 electric vehicle charging stations are now connected to the university’s power grid and available to the public free of charge.
Colorado State U Installs DIY Bike Repair Station
Colorado State University's Police Department has installed a DIY bike repair station to promote bicycling on campus. The station is equipped with an air pump, screwdrivers, various wrenches and a tire lever. Campus bike registrations and bicycle tickets funded the $1,300 project.
San Jose State U Plans Regional Bike Sharing Program
San Jose State University (CA) has received a grant from the Valley Transportation Authority, Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Bay Area Quality Management District to launch a regional bike sharing program this spring. The program will include 400 bicycles and 40 bike share stations.
Stanford U Earns National 'Best Workplaces for Commuters' Honor
Stanford University (CA) has been recognized as one of the Best Workplaces for Commuters by the National Center for Transit Research for the ninth consecutive year. The university also received the "Best Of" award in the Best Workplaces for Commuters 2011 Race to Excellence.
U Albany Encourages Bus Commuting with GPS Convenience
In an effort to encourage bus ridership to campus, the University at Albany (NY) has implemented a new GPS tracking system on their bus fleet. The wireless system allows the university community to see the location of buses via smart phone or monitors placed around campus. The university received a $166,000 grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the NYS Department of Transportation for the project.
Yale U Adds Electric Van to Delivery Fleet
Over the next year, Yale University (CT) will compare a gas-powered transit van with a new all-electric van with zero emissions to determine if a permanent switch will be beneficial. A new charging station will monitor usage information including the electric van's kilowatt usage.
Calif. State U Sacramento Students Convert Waste Oil to Biodiesel
With $6,000 in grants from the university's Greenovation Fund and Sustainability Steering Committee, mechanical engineering students at California State University, Sacramento are converting waste oil from campus kitchens into biodiesel fuel. The students are aiming to create enough diesel to fuel the grounds maintenance equipment on campus.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical U Students Develop Biodiesel Fuel
Students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL) have begun developing a biodiesel source to save fuel costs for the university. The biodiesel will be created from recycled oil from campus kitchens and will be used to fuel campus tractors. The university expects to save $3 a gallon and reduce emissions.
New York U Doubles Bike Share Efforts
New York University will more than double the size of its bike share fleet this month, officially moving the program out of its pilot phase. The program has grown "exponentially" since its launch in summer 2010, said the university's bike share coordinator, and has helped inform plans for a New York City bike share.
San Diego State U Unveils Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
San Diego State University (CA) has announced the installation of 14 electric vehicle charging stations across campus that are free for students, faculty and staff. The stations were made available by a grant from the University of California Department of Energy.
U Kentucky Debuts DIY Bicycle Repair Stand
The University of Kentucky's Wildcat Wheels Program has launched a DIY Bicycle Repair Stand in an effort to enhance the services available to campus cyclists. The new stand includes a waterproof dispenser with free, pre-glued patches and instructions on how to patch a flat.
Bowling Green State U Students Initiate Eco-Friendly Bike Racks
Bowling Green State University’s (OH) Undergraduate Student Government and Office of Campus Sustainability have announced plans to purchase 20 new bicycle racks made from recycled plastic. The group hopes that more bicycle racks will result in more bike commuters to campus.
Rhode Island College Introduces Car Sharing Program
Rhode Island College has partnered with Zipcar, Inc. to launch a campus car sharing program for students, faculty and staff. Offering two cars to start, the college aims to reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions on campus.
SUNY Cortland Debuts Eco-Friendly Buses
State University of New York at Cortland has purchased a new fleet of environmentally friendly buses that use cleaner fuel. Featuring messages to increase climate issue awareness among the campus community, the propane-fueled vehicles are part of the university's Climate Action Plan toward carbon neutrality by 2050.
Vanderbilt U Partners with Students for Bike Sharing Program
Vanderbilt University (TN) has announced that re{cycle}, the winner of its Vanderbilt Ventures Competition, will receive start-up money, compensation, support and resources from the Dean of Students office to launch a campus bike sharing program. The student-run company will offer access to daily bicycle rentals for $10 a day to undergraduate students at the university.
Appalachian State U Expands Green Transportation Options
Appalachian State University (NC) has teamed up with UHaulCarShare to expand its car sharing program. Through the partnership, students, faculty and staff will have access to three vehicles 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to UHaulCarShare, the university offers ride sharing through Zimride, a ridesharing social network that helps people share commutes or one-time rides.
Columbia U Basketball Team Saves Emissions with Biodiesel Travel
The Lions men's basketball team at Columbia University (NY) saved 77 percent in carbon dioxide emissions traveling by biodiesel bus to a recent away game. The trip was a chance to use Greenway Transit's software program that calculates the estimated footprint reduction by riding in a biodiesel bus. The company is working with the Forest Foundation and Carolina Biodiesel to develop a franchise model for value-adding waste vegetable oil into green transportation for university and college towns across the country.
Southeastern Louisiana U to Use Biodiesel in Campus Vehicles
Southeastern Louisiana University Physical Plant Services has installed a tank on campus to collect used and unwanted cooking oil from the campus community. The oil will be used to produce biodiesel to fuel off-road campus vehicles and equipment.
U Rhode Island Starts to 'Green' Ocean Research Fleet
The University of Rhode Island’s research ocean vessel, the Endeavor, has started using refined biofuel. To fuel its trek around the globe, the vessel recently filled up with a mix of recycled oil from fast food restaurants and regular diesel.
Austin CC Installs Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Austin Community College (TX) has installed 18 electric car charging stations available to the campus community and the public as part of the ChargePoint America program. At $2 per hour-long charge, the college hopes the stations will help create a support network for environmentally friendly vehicles.
Portland State U Wins $3.5 M for Sustainable Transport Research
Portland State University (OR) has received $3.5 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for sustainable transportation research and education. One of 63 applicants for 22 grants, the university will focus on research and education programs that improve health and safety for all users; increase the efficiency and understanding of cycling, walking and transit; make the best use of data, performance measures and analytical tools; integrate multimodal transportation with land use; and take long-term action on transportation emissions and climate change.
U Arizona Installs Bike Repair Stations
The University of Arizona has installed two self-serve bicycle repair stations on campus. Users are able to suspend their bikes and make minor adjustments using the 17 tools that are tethered to the unit.
U California Santa Barbara Opens Bike Repair Stations
The University of California, Santa Barbara has announced the installation of four bike repair stations on campus, with two more on the way. The stations, which feature a metal stand designed to suspend a bicycle for repairs and a variety of tools including wrenches, screwdrivers and an air pump, are free to the campus community.
Champlain College, U Vermont Offer Subsidized Car Sharing Program
Champlain College and the University of Vermont have announced a subsidized car sharing membership for full-time students, faculty and staff. Offered through the Campus Area Transportation Management Association and CarShare Vermont, the program's $150 annual membership fee has been underwritten by the two Vermont institutions in an effort to triple the number Champlain College and the University of Vermont members in 2012.
Clemson U Introduces Car Sharing Program
Clemson University (SC) has partnered with car sharing program WeCar to offer four cars to the campus community. Car sharing is encouraged with prime parking spots for those who split the costs of a parking permit and carpool to the university. Other programs in development include a way to post routes online for other commuters to hitch a ride and better parking spots for those driving EPA-approved low-emission vehicles.
U Chicago Adds Electric Vehicles to Campus Fleet
The University of Chicago's (IL) Facilities Services recently added three electric vehicles to its fleet. The first Neighborhood Electric Vehicles on campus, the 100 percent-electric cars will replace two gasoline-powered trucks and a van. The department aims to invest in further green technologies.
McMaster U Makes Canadian List of Top Bicycling Campuses
With 37 percent of students who walk or cycle to campus, Maclean's magazine has named McMaster University (ON) as one of Canada's top five bicycle-friendly schools. The university promotes sustainable travel by focusing on initiatives aimed at reducing single-occupancy vehicle use; promoting sustainable alternatives modes of transportation; and by responding to requests from the campus community for a better cycling environment.
Missouri State U Expands Recycling Efforts with Electric Truck
Missouri State University has purchased an electric utility truck through the university's Student Sustainability Fund to be used in the campus recycling program. The truck is expected to make the program more efficient and allow the university to expand recycling efforts to its off-campus buildings.
Vanderbilt U Debuts Car Sharing Program
Vanderbilt University (TN) has started offering a second car sharing program on campus. Enterprise's WeCar program will now be offered with the current Zipcar program. Students, faculty and staff will have the ability to enroll in both programs.
Drexel U Introduces Car Sharing Program
Drexel University (PA) has partnered with Zipcar, Inc. to launch a campus car sharing program for students, faculty and staff. The university will initially offer eight Zipcars.
